Dozens of illegal immigrants arrested, released in hours

KHOU 11 Houston ^ | April 20, 2006 | Vicente Arenas

[Snickering Hound]

There was a crackdown Wednesday and dozens of illegal immigrants were arrested.

Many of those same immigrants were released just hours later

It was the last thing they, and their families, expected.

"They are not criminals. All they're here for is to work for their family," said Mariz Gomez.

And that's what they were doing making wooden pallets at two different locations when federal agents swooped in and took nearly 70 suspected undocumented workers to this federal detention center in north Houston.

"Just for them to come in here and to just throw them back to where they go. That's not right for them," said Gomez.

Families 11 News spoke with feared the men mostly from Central American countries would be deported.

But that was hardly the case.

Just five hours later Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents began releasing the undocumented workers.

"I was surprised by the quick release," said a man who asked that his face not be shown. Several others made the same request.

It is not clear why these immigrants were released so quickly but workers say it may be because the 950-bed facility was severely overcrowded.

The workers say they were told the facilities were full. Sources inside the facility say the same thing and that agents have been ordered to release immigrants as soon as possible.

Some of the workers say there were other problems Wednesday.

They said computers went down and agents had to scribble information, in one case, failing to write in a court date altogether.

The men we spoke with promised to show up for their immigration hearings, still finding it hard to believe they were released so soon.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Exactly.

[tumblindice]

"I have no doubt of the power and duty of the executive, under the law of the nation, to exclude enemies of the human race from asylum in the United States."

"Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father."
A. Lincoln

`taint your fault TH. The SCOTUS works with what it's given.
The president and congress should be enforcing the law, but they have not and will not.

[tobyhill]

and the accused works with what is given to them and will continue to do so. If congress wants tough laws they can do it and if there are enough that want the tough laws it could even override a Presidential Veto if one is applied.

[Kimberly GG]

1,187 Illegals arrested in 26 states, according to Fox.

Interesting that not a single mention of them having been released.

[tobyhill]

As a "Bush hater" you also know that even a speeding ticket that is issued, the accused has the right to have their case adjudicated unless it's deferred by them. Deferred Adjudication is nothing short of nolo contendere.

[brytlea]

About the most you can do is build new housing facilities, which takes time and money.

I just thought of a good idea! Let the people who are for open borders house them in their own homes!

:)

susie

[brytlea]

I have voted for my last Rino, believe me. I would be in AZ if I could be.
susie

[brytlea]

I know you didn't say it couldn't be stopped, but since there is no political will to stop it, the status quo is what we're going to get. Sorry to be so cynical, but I've been watching this issue since the 80s when I lived in West TX. Back then I never really believed it would get to the point it has come to.
susie

[AmusedBystander]

As a "Bush hater" you also know that even a speeding ticket that is issued, the accused has the right to have their case adjudicated unless it's deferred by them. Deferred Adjudication is nothing short of nolo contendere.

I'm not the Bush hater. It was directed to the original poster. I happen to think that Bush is right on this "no win" issue and applaud him for his efforts.

I'm the one pointing out that being "illegal" is not in the same league as someone getting away with murder, which is what some of these guys feel.

[tumblindice]

Like "gun control" there's no need for more laws, toby. They aren't enforcing existing laws. Why would they be expected to enforce more laws? Fat Teddy's law?
Call it `salutary neglect' `laizzes faire'--whatever you like: Both branches are derelict in their duties of law enforcement. So the federal alphabet dinks run some token `busts' then it's back to business as usual.
Mexico has no respect for our border, and we do nothing to inspire respect, therefore, we have no southwestern border. It's just a legal fiction on political maps.

[tobyhill]

I know, I'm in DFW area now and for the past years I've watched the same illegals hanging around the same corner waiting for their day jobs.

[tobyhill]

They have the laws but they need some laws with teeth. It's only a misdemeanor now but to make it a felony would do wonders in control. Very simple change but little support in the Senate for it.

[tobyhill]

It's not even Illegal Alien until the judge or jury says so. It's not a Bank Robber until a judge or jury says so, it's only suspect, person of interest or accused until a judge or jury says otherwise.

[brytlea]

Oh hey, you're a homie. Nice to meet ya!
susie

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I read somewhere this morning that 58% of the illegals had phony documentation! Surely we're not letting those people go?????

[tobyhill]

After working on the BUSH campaign in Missouri, I moved back to my home, Great State of Texas. This one should get me Bush Bot status.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I hear they taste like beans!

[brytlea]

I just can't figure out what he's doing. We actually lived in Midland when he did (have a funny story about my youngest son literally running into him at the YMCA one day). I always thought alot of the family, but, I honestly can't say I agree with his stance on illegal immigration.
susie

[tobyhill]

I don't like a lot of what goes on with Illegal Immigrants and feel it could be better managed but to lay everything on the President's shoulders would ignore the fact that there are enormous years of legal restraints put on many Presidents. I would like to see a fence but that would fall into a budgetary issue that must be approved by congress. We have laws but to have laws with teeth is also a congressional issue. DHS should do more on their end of enforcement but there has to be a balance of reality to what they really can do. To put a full fence up around the whole border, north and south, would cost about $10-$15 Billion and that's not something the President has in his petty cash fund but I support one none the less.